What made you decide that music production is the career you want to professionally pursue? And who was the first artist you ever worked with?

I wanted to switch to music production from being a jazz pianist because I wanted to compose and produce mainstream music that would reach a wide audience. The first big artist I worked with was Destiny's Child. I did a song called "Fancy" on the "Survivor" album. Before that I worked with local Bay Area rappers.
 
As you mentioned, your first major break into the scene was via co-producing Destiny's Child's "Fancy" along with Dwayne Wiggins of Tony Toni Tone. How different was it from belting out songs all on your own?

Producing songs on my own is much different. Back then I was more of a beatmaker who had little to do with the final outcome of the song, or working with the artists one on one. Now, I am in full control of a song, from the beat, to the writing, to the vocal production, working with the artists to get the best possible performance, to finishing the production, and to the final mix.

Did you fancy any of the group members back then?

I thought Beyonce was cute.

Success came your way BIG TIME when you produced Rihanna's # 01 smash, "S.O.S.". How did you react when it took the top spot on the Billboard Charts?

I was in disbelief. I felt so blessed. It was amazing.

When you first came up with song, were you apprehensive about using the sample from Soft Cell's "Tainted Love", especially since it was already used by the Pussycat Dolls as well?

No, I actually made the beat over 3 years ago, way before the Pussycat Dolls were a group. It's just that it sat around until my friend and writing partner Evan Bogart wrote the song.
 
Did you feel the pressure of coming up with something equally as good, if not better, when you hooked up with Rihanna for the 2nd time on the track "Push Up On Me"? And how did that joint came about?

I always feel the pressure to make better music. "Push Up On Me" was a song I worked on with Rihanna in mind, and I was very happy that her label loved it for her.

"Walka Not A Talka" was initially the 2nd single choice from Mya's forthcoming album, "Liberation", but her record label switched it to the Tricky Stewart produced "Ridin'". How does that make you feel?
 
That's just the business.

Critically-acclaimed songwriters you've collaborated with include Kara Dioguardi (Paris Hilton, Ashlee Simpson) and Makeba Riddick (Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Lopez). How was it like working with both of them? And which other songwriters you'd love to hook up with in the future?

Working with them was great. They are both very talented. A songwriter that I would love to work with is Sean Garrett. Although we have met many times, and are fans of each other, we have not had the chance to collaborate yet.

In some major interviews, Rapper the Game referred to you as "The White Dr. Dre". What do think of that title? And do you sometimes feel that it would have been better if he said "The next Dr. Dre"?

I am very very flattered by that title. Especially since it's coming from somebody who I consider to be one of the best rappers period! I don't think it would have been better if he said anything else because his statement is powerful.

Where do you find yourself more, when you're producing tracks for rap artists such as 50 Cent, Eve and Talib Kweli, or Pop/R&B joints for Jessi Malay, Ashley Tisdale and The Veronicas? And which one is easier?

I like working with all types of artists and genres of music equally. It is usually more time consuming to produce pop songs because there are more steps to the process.
 
How's the atmosphere between producers who work on the same album, do you guys big each other up or there's as much rivalry as there is between artists?

Both.
 
Girl-groups the Spice Girls and Salt n Pepa are set to reunite soon, would you like to produce tracks for them as well?

Yes.
 
If you thought about working with UK artists for a change, whom would you choose and why?

Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen because they are different and cool.
 
Does it bother you when the media sometimes takes more interest in whom you're going out with than your musical career?

No, the media likes sensational stories, and I just accept that.

You're also one of the most eligible bachelors in the music scene right now, and I was wondering if you could tell us what qualities do you usually look for in a girl?

Loyalty, compassion, warmth, stunning looks, and class.
 
Can you briefly describe the following artists you've worked with?

Britney Spears:

Amazing. She is such a veteran, and has one of the most unique personalities on the mic. Also, very humble, and open to direction.
 
Christina Milian:

So much fun. Really goofy and funny. She is very down to earth.

Jennifer Lopez:

An elegant yet real person. She is also funny, confident, and classy. A real star!
 
LeToya Luckett:

Very soulful, real, sexy down south vibe. Great singer.
 
Lil Kim:

One of the dopest female MCs of all time. Loved working with her.
 
Mya:
 
Good musical connection together.

Rihanna:

Very unique voice and style. Huge star, very cute.  

Care to share with us info about your forthcoming projects?

What I am most excited about is my artist Sean Kingston's album coming out on July 31st. He has a huge single out called "Beautiful Girls". I produced the entire album.

Are there any dream-collaborations you have in mind?

I would love to work with Eminem, Ludacris, and Jay-Z.

What message you'd like to give to your fans all over the world, especially the aspiring producers out there?

My recipe for success is to do the following 3:
1. Have faith.
2. Send out positive energy.
3. Work relentlessly hard.
 
[Visit] Jonathan "J.R." Rotem @ MySpace

[Visit] Sean Kingston @ MySpace

According to Keke Wyatt's official MySpace profile, the title of her sophomore album is "Ghetto Rose", and it's due this summer via TVT Records. The full track-list is yet to be announced, but the new set will sport collaborations with producers The Underdogs (Toni Braxton, Claudette Ortiz), Stargate (Mariah Carey, Jessica Simpson), Durrell "Tank" Babbs (Kelly Rowland, Jennifer Hudson), Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins (Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston), Steve Morales (Christina Aguilera, Thalia), Bryan Michael Cox (Nicole Scherzinger, Chante Moore), Dana "Rockwilder" Stinson (Janet Jackson, Kelis) and Troy Oliver (Jennifer Lopez, Yummy Bingham).

Thanx for the tip Dan

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Johnta Austin may have parted ways with Virgin Records, but he's still going with the release of his debut album, "Ocean Drive", via Def Jam Records. The debut set will be preceded by 2^nd single, "Video" featuring DJ Unk, and it's scheduled to be filmed very soon. No release date is announced yet, but expect productions on "Ocean Drive" courtesy of Jermaine Dupri (Tamia, Alicia Keys), Bryan Michael Cox (Faith Evans, Amerie), Scott Storch (Kelly Rowland, Christina Aguilera), Teddy Bishop (LeToya Luckett, Aaliyah) and No I.D. (Toni Braxton, Janet Jackson). Fans of the Grammy-winning songwriter should look out for his work on the next albums by Mya (Universal-Motown Records), Chris Brown (Jive Records), Mary J. Blige (Geffen Records), Monica (J Records), Whitney Houston (J Records) and Mariah Carey (Def Jam Records).

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Ashanti has changed the title of her upcoming 5^th album from "Incredible" to "The Declaration", and a tentative release date has been set in October. The new set will feature A-star alliances from The Neptunes (Madonna, Nicole Scherzinger), Jermaine Dupri (Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez), Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds (Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston) and Jamal "Polow Da Don" Jones (Kelly Rowland, Jamie Foxx). Rappers Snoop Dogg and Nelly are going to make appearances on "The Declaration" as well.

Jada are a new girl-group signed to Universal – Motown Records, and they consist of members April, Elle, Lauren, and Jacyn. Their as-yet untitled album will boast collaborations courtesy of Nate “Danja” Hills (Nelly Furtado, Katharine McPhee), The Clutch (Britney Spears, Amerie), Wyclef Jean (Claudette Ortiz, Kat DeLuna), Jonathan “J.R.” Rotem (Natasha Bedingfield, LeToya Luckett) and Toby Gad (Fergie, Jordan McCoy). Among the tracks tipped for inclusion on the new set are “Inevitable”, “Where Did All The Money Go”, “Goodbye” and “Girls Just Do Your Thing”.

[Visit] Jada @ MySpace

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In a recent interview with MTV, Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls confirmed that the lead single from her upcoming debut album, "Her Name Is Nicole", is a joint entitled "Whatever You Like" produced by Jamal "Polow Da Don" Jones (Keyshia Cole, Christina Aguilera) and co-written by Sean Garrett (Amerie, Britney Spears). The track features rap verses from T.I., whereas other guest appearances on the album include the likes of Soul songstress Macy Gray. "Her Name Is Nicole" is due in September via A&M Records, and will sport additional alliances from Bryan Michael Cox (Christina Milian, Fantasia Barrino), Kendrick "Wyldcard" Dean (Teairra Mari, Brandy), Akon (Gwen Stefani, Mario), The Neptunes (Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey), Kara Dioguardi (Thalia, Kylie Minogue), Tim "Timbaland" Mosley (Ashlee Simpson, Nelly Furtado), Will "Will-I-Am" Adams (Mary J. Blige, Justin Timberlake), Soulshock & Karlin (Kelly Rowland, Samantha Jade), Schaffer "Ne-Yo" Smith (Teedra Moses, Jennifer Hudson) and Future Cut (Lily Allen, Sugababes).

According to Sean Garrett's official MySpace profile, some of the songs he belted on Britney Spears' forthcoming album are "Kiss Me All Over", "Pull Out", "Love", "Red Carpet" and "Toy Soldier". Fans of the hit songwriter/producer should also look out for the next albums by Madonna (Maverick Records), Whitney Houston (J Records), Chris Brown (Jive Records), Girl Called Jane (Def Jam Records), Karina Pasian (Def Jam Records), Nicole Scherzinger (A&M Records), Mario (J Records), Megan Rochell (Def Jam Records), Samantha Jade (Jive Records), Cristal Q (Universal Records), Che'Nelle (Virgin Records), Brit & Alex (Interscope Records), Monica (J Records), and Jennifer Lopez (Sony Music).

[Visit] Sean Garrett @ MySpace

MTV recently caught up with rapper Eve and here are the highlights:

• She finished shooting the video for her 2^nd single, "Give It To You" featuring Sean Paul. 
• The track which is taken from her forthcoming album, "Here I Am", is best described as Reggae mixed with Spanish beats (yaay!).
• Other joints tipped for inclusion are the Robin Thicke helmed "Fantasy", and the Dr. Dre produced "Fire".
• It was also previously reported that The Neptunes belted "Tonight", whereas Cool & Dre hooked Eve with "We Belong Together".
• "Here I Am", which is due 7^th August via Geffen Records, sports additional collaborations with Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean (Jennifer Hudson, Whitney Houston), Jonathan "J.R." Rotem (Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears) and Jamal "Polow Da Don" Jones (Nicole Scherzinger, Christina Aguilera).

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In a recent interview with Jawn Murray of Black Voices, Canadian vocalist Deborah Cox revealed that she's eyeing the spring of 2008 to release her forthcoming R&B album, and would love to do a duet with Neo-Soul crooner Maxwell. The "Sentimental" singer released her last commercial LP, "The Morning After", in 2002 via J Records. The set boasted collabos with Jermaine Dupri (Chante Moore, Usher), Johnta Austin (Whitney Houston, Enrique Iglesias), Harold Lilly (Alicia Keys, Brandy) and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis (Heather Headley, Jessica Simpson). Production team The Underdogs (Toni Braxton, Keri Hilson) are expected on the as-yet untitled album cuz according ASCAP, one of the joints they wrote together is a track entitled "If I Had One Wish".

[Listen] Deborah Cox - 2 Good 2 Be True (co-written by Harold Lilly / produced by Jermaine Dupri)

[Purchase] Deborah Cox - The Morning After (J Records)

The lead single from Samantha Jade's upcoming debut album, "Turn Around", will hit the radio stations starting from June 26^th, so don't forget to vote for it. The track was produced by Danish production team Soulshock & Karlin, who are also working on the next albums by Monica (J Records), Kelly Rowland (Sony Music), Whitney Houston (J Records), Keyshia Cole (A&M Records), Mary J. Blige (Geffen Records), Mario (J Records), and newcomer Kasey Butler (Blackground Records).

[Read] My Interview with Samantha Jade

[Read] My Interview with Carsten "Soulshock" Schack